Pressure regulator for presses and the like



March 14, 1944- H. A. SEDGWICK PRESSURE REGULATOR FOR PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed July 15, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 14, 1944. s gewlck 2,344,114

PRESSURE REGULATOR FOR PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed July 15, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 14, 1944. H. A. SEDGWICK PRESSURE REGULATOR FOR PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed July 15, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 14, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OPE-ICE- PRESSURE REGULATOR FOR PRESSES AND THE LIKE Harry A. Sedgwlck, Shorewood, Wis. Application July 15, 1940, Serial No. 345,664

6 Claims. 100 70) The invention relates to reciprocating mechanisnis and is particularly applicable to mechanically operated pressesfor forming, embossing, coining and molding operation, extruding machines and the like which aflord a great range of adjustment of their working stroke and working pressure. In many cases it is highly desirable to maintain a substantially constant pressure during nearly the entire part of the operating cycle during which the movable part of the tool is in contact with the workpiece, and the present invention affords such operation.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple mechanism for maintaining a constant pressure on the workpiece while the movable part of the tool is in contact therewith.

Another object is to provide means of the aforementioned type which permit adjustment of said pressure within wide limits.

Another object is to provide pressure regulating means which may be easily attached to presses of otherwise conventional design.

Another object is to provide pressure adjusting and maintaining means which may be easily and quickly regulated.

Another object is to provide easily adjustable pressure and stroke regulating means for mechanical presses.

Another object is to provide means of the aforementioned type which are subject to little wear and which are easily maintained.

Another object is to provide means which maintain their adjustment for a long period.

Another object is to provide pressure controlling means which have a minimum of inertia and thus respond substantially instantaneously during the operation of the machine.

Another object is to provide hydraulic pressure regulating and maintaining means which substantially eliminate leakage of the pressure fluid from the system.

Another object is to provide means in which any pressure fluid which may have leaked out of the system may be readily replaced.

Another object is to provide indicating means which indicate any loss of pressure fluid from the system. 7

Another object is to provide pressure regulating means which eliminate lost motion between the operating mechanism and the movable part of the tool incident to loss of pressure liquid.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawings are illustrative of certain embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings.

Figure 1 is a front view of a toggle press suitable for molding, punching and similar operations, in which one of the toggle members comprises a hydraulic cylinder and piston provided with means for varying the effective length of said toggle member while simultaneously affording regulation of the pressure which may be exerted by the toggle upon the work-piece in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a section along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. "7 is a modification of the press in Fig. 1 wherein the pressure regulating means are incorporated in the upper pivotpoint of the toggle instead of being incorporated with one of the toggle members as in the press illustrated in Fig. 1, while 1 Fig. 8 is asect'ion along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the same illustrates a toggle press having a supporting member or base I for a stationary platen and which is attached to and supported by side frames 2 and 3, the latter being provided with feet for mounting of the machine. The side frames 2 and 3 are joined near their upper end by a cross member or crown 4 which may be termed an abutment and which receives thrust, the base I and the crown 4 being suitably keyed to-the side frames 2 and 3 to transmit the thrust between them to the side members. The base I supports a usual bolster plate 5 to which the stationary part 6 of a molding or other die may be fastened and which receives the working pressure exerted on the die and the work piece. The lower face of the crown 4 has mounted thereon a bearing block 1 which pivotally supports one end of a toggle member 8 V by means of a bearing pin 9 supported in bearings ill of the block 1. The opposite end of the toggle member 8 is provided with a bearing which supports a pin H. Pivoted to the latter is one end of a connecting rod l2, the other end of which is pivoted to a crank pin iii of a crank shaft l4. The crank shaft I4 in turn is pivotally supported in bearings 15 suitably mounted on the side frames 2 and 3. The crank shaft l4 may be rotated by an electric motor l6 which latter may be conveniently mounted on the crown 4 and which is operatively connected to the crank shaft I 4 in any convenient manner such as belts, friction on a cross head which is suitably guided forreciprocation relative to the stationary tool in slides l9 attached to theframes 2 and 3. The cross head I! is connected to the toggle pin II by means ofa toggle member |9 which is shown more in detail in Figs. 3 and 4. The lower end of the member I9 is pivoted to the cross head by means of a pin generally shown at 29 and not illustrated in detail, as this is not part of the present invention and which may be constructed in a conventional manner. The toggle member |9 includes a cylinder 2| and a cooperating piston 22 in said cylinder 2 I. The piston 22 is provided with a piston rod 23 which is threaded into the piston and which may be screwed into and out of the piston to aflord relative longitudinal adjustment therebetween. The piston rod 23 is also provided with a collar 24 arranged for attachment of a suitable wrench for rotating it relative to the piston. The upper end of the piston rod is smooth and rotatively engages a bore 25 of an eye 26. The wall the eye surrounding the bore is slotted and screws 21 are provided for clamping the piston rod 23 solidly in the bore after the same has been adjusted to prevent further rotation thereof. The upper end of the eye 26 is pivoted at the pin Thus by turning the piston rod 23 the distance between the toggle pin II and the pivot 29, and therefore the length of the toggle member I9, can be varied.

The upper end of the piston 22 abuts against a collar 29 which is fastened to the upper end of the cylinder and which projects inwardly beyond the cylinder bore so that if hydraulic pressure is applied to the chamber 29 between the inner end of the piston and the cylinder, the outward movement oi. the piston 2| in response to said pressure is limited by the collar 28. This collar which has to resist the entire hydraulic pressure against the piston is fastened to the cylinder by means of a suitable number of studs and nuts 39. The inner end of the piston 22 is provided with an extension 3| of reduced diameter, which is adapted to limit the extreme downward stroke of the piston into the cylinder.

In order to prevent leakage of fluid from the chamber 29 past the piston 22 the latter is also provided near its lower end with an annular angle shaped packing ring 32 of suitable material,

which may be held in place by a nut 33 which engages the reduced end of the piston by means of suitable co-acting threads on the nut and the piston.

In order to prevent the piston from rotation relative to the cylinder and to the piston rod 23 the piston is provided at its circumference with a longitudinal slot 94 which engages the reduced end of a cap screw 35, which is threaded through the cylinder wall, the slot 34 being of sufficient length to permit the piston to move longitudinally through the entire free length of its travel in the cylinder.

The length of the toggle link I9 is usually adjus in such a manne that when the toggle is in approximately its lower dead-center the piston extension 3| does not make contact with the bottom face of the cylinder so thatthe pressure is created in the fluid contained in the compartment 29. In order to determine and regulate this pressure the cylinder 2| is provided with a regulating device 96, the latter comprising a the piston 38 is a second piston or ram 99 of reduced diameter which projects through the bottom of the cylinder .31 into a cylinder 49 which forms with th cylinder 49 a cavity 4| which is in direct connection with the cylinder cavity 29 by means of aligned conduits 42 and 43 in the cylinders 49 and 2| respectively. To provide for a fluid-tight joint between the two conduits the latter are counterbored at their adjacent ends and a suitable shouldered bushing 44 'is inserted into counterbored enlargements of said conduits while packing rings 45 are inserted between the shoulders on said bushing and the inner ends of said enlargements, so as to further assure the tightness of the joint. The two cylinders 49 and 2| are screwed together by studs and nuts 46 which at the same time exert sufiicient pressure onthe packing rings 45 to'make them tight.-

The piston 39 is made fluid-tight by means of a suitable packing 41 while the outer end of the ram 39 passes through a suitable stufling box 49 to prevent escape of fluid from the chamber 4| past the ram 39 into the cylinder 31, the latter being further provided with a drain 49 to drain off any fluid which may have leaked past the stuffing box. On the side opposite from which the ram 39 extends from the piston 39 the latter is provided with a guide and indicating rod 59. The cylinder 91 is closed at its upper end by a. cylinder head 5| which is provided with a stufilng box 52 through which the rod 59 projects, the stufling box and the head 5| being arranged to provide against leakage of fluid from the upper chamber 59 formed by the cylinder 31 and the piston 39. The cylinder head 5| is also provided with an inlet conduit 69 for admission of air to the chamber 59. The conduit 69 in turn is con-' nected through a valve 6| to a'surge tank 62 which is adapted to be supplied with compressed air from any suitable source through a conduit 63, a check valve 64 and a reducing valve 65, the pressure regulator forming preferably an integral part with the reducing valve 65 which latter permits adjustment of the pressure in the surge tank 62 below that of the source. A pressure gag 66'is associated with the reducing valve 65 to indicate pressure in the tank 62. The conduit 69 is also provided with a blow-off valve 61 by means of which the fluid in the chamber 59 may be released after closure of the valve 6|.

The liquid for the chambers 29 and 4| may be supplied through a. suitable feeding nipple 69 which is connected to the inlet orifice of a needle valve 69,. the latter being screwed into the cylinder 49 and connected with the compartment 4| through an orifice 19. The orifice 19 can thus be closed against the nipple 69 by means of the needle valve 1 I, which is provided with a manipulating handle I2. Thus, if it is desired to put liquid into the compartments 29 and 4|, a suitable device for supplying liquid under pressure is connected to the nipple 69, the needle valve 12 is opened and liquid is forced into the cylinders and after the proper amount has been inserted the valve 12 is again closed.

The rod 59 .extends outside of the cylinder 36 for a suitable distance, and mounted adjacent thereto is a graduated indicating scale 13. This scale 13 is used for adjustment of the device in the following mannerwAssuming that the pressure in the surge tank 62 is t0 be 200 pounds per square inch and the area of each of the pistons 22 and 39 is 20 square inches and that of ram 39 cylinder 31 containing a piston 99. Attached to 76 is 1 square inch, then the total pressure between the cylinder-2| and the piston 22' is 80,000 pounds or 40 tons. By decreasing or increasing the pressure in the surge tank C2 by the reducing valve.

85 the maximum pressure exerted between the piston 22 and the cylinder 2i may thus be varied proportionately.

The amount which the piston rod 23 extends outside the piston 22 is normally so adjusted that when the cross head I1 is in its lowest position and exerts the desired pressure there is still some clearance between the extension 3i and the bottom of the chamber 29 so that the pressure in the surge tank also determines the pressure which is exerted on the workpiece. As the cross head II retracts from the stationary tool 6 the tendency is for the piston 22 to move out of the cylinder and ultimately abut against the retaining ring '28. However, as soon as the piston 22 begins to move outward and thus to increase the volume of the space 29 the pressure in the tank 82 forces the piston 38 downward, thus forcing liquid from the chamber 4| into the chamber", and since both the air and the liquid in the chambers 4| and 29 have very little inertia, they tend to maintain the pressure exerted between \the piston 22 and the cylinder 2i constant, thus maintaining a constant force in the link I9 and thus also maintaining a substantially constant pressure on the cross head II, which is only modified by the angularity of the toggle link, until the movable part of the tool is separated from the workpiece.

The normal amount of liquid in the chambers 4i and 29 is such that when the piston 22 abuts against the retaining ring 28 the rod 50 is opposite a mark on the scale 13 which permits a substantial leakage from the chambers 4| and 29 before the piston can hit against the bottom of the cylinder under the pressure exerted by the press. Thus as long as the rod 50 extends normally within given marks of the scale", all lost motion of th piston 22 relative to the liquid is obviated. As the toggle straightens out the piston 22 forces liquid from chamber 29 into the chamber 4| thus forcing up the pistons 99 and 38 and forcing air back into the surge tank 62, but by making the surge tank of sufficient size no appreciable increase in pressure therein takes place and therefore the pressure exerted by the cylinder 2| and the cross head I1 will remain substantially constant.

From the foregoing it will be seen, that it is possible to adjust the maximum pressure which is exerted upon the workpiece within very wide limits and to'also maintain this pressure substantially constant for any desired part of the stroke. It will also be apparent that the surge tank may be divided into several individual chambers connected in parallel, and by disconnecting some of the chambers th pressure variations due to the return of air from the space 59 into the surge tank upon the down stroke of the press will increase. Thus by regulating the effeca variation of the distance between the station ary and the movable part of the die it is only necessary to change the adjustment between the screw 23 and the piston 22 in the manner aioredescribed.

In the press shown in Fig. 7 the toggle member I09 corresponding to the toggle arm 19 of connection between the ends of said link, said tive volume of the surge tank the pressure exerted upon the workpiece can be increased in a well known manner, similar to the increase of pressure which might be obtained by the employment of springs and such an arrangement would even permit of very much greater variations and-more convenient adjustment of the pressure. than is practical with springs.

It will also be apparent, that if liquid should leak out of the chambers 29 and II the'piston 39 would descend under the pressure of the air in the chamber 59 until the indicator 50 de- Figs. 1 and 2 is provided with a conventional screw adjustment to vary its length. On the other hand the upper toggle arm is supported in a cross head bearing I01 which is not fixed to the crown Hi4 directly but the crown is provided with a bore or cylinder 9, while' the bearing II" is provided with a piston III which fits into said cylinder H0, the crown I being provided with lugs H2 forming guides for the bearing I01 and with stop plates H3 to limit the downward stroke of the bearing I01 and the piston l I.

In the modification just described the regulating device 96 is similar to that shown in Fig. 4 except that it is turned through and it is connected with the cylinder H0 and cooperates therewith in a, manner similar to that described in connection with Fig. 4. It will be seen that in the construction shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the bearing llil has a limited up and down motion which produces a hydraulic effect similar 'to that aforedescribed, so as to limit and regulate the pressure which is exerted by the press upon the workpiece. It is believed that in view of the foregoing the operation of the press shown in- Fig.7willbeobvious.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a press, a fixed abutment, a movable platen, a linkage interconnecting said abutment and said platen and operable to effect reciprocation of said platen, one link of said linkage including a cylinder and a piston arranged to permit a limited relative displacement therebetween, and means for maintaining liquid under pressure in said cylinder to provide a resilient means including a chamber rigidly connected to and in hydraulic communication with said cylinder, and a reciprocable diflerential piston in said chamber adapted to be acted upon by a source of fluid pressure and thereby to exert and maintain a pressure on the liquid in said cylinder.

2. The combination of a mechanical press having a fixed abutment, a movable platen and a linkage interconnecting said abutment and said platen and operable to effect reciprocation of said platen, a cushioned connection associated with said linkage comprising a housing providing a main chamber anda main piston reciprocable in said main chamber, said main chamber and said piston being arranged to permit limited relative movement therebetween and adapted to receive a liquid under pressure to form therewith a cushioning means, an auxiliary chamber in hydraulic communication with said main chamber, an auxiliary piston reciprocable in said auxiliary chamber in response to the difference in the force exerted thereupon by the pressure of a sure of said liquid at all times substantially constant, said last mentioned means including a cylinder, and a piston in said cylinder connected to said auxiliary piston and always maintained spaced from the heads of the cylinder to exert upon the auxiliary piston at all times a substantially constant force which balances at all times the force exerted thereupon by the pressure of said liquid.

3. The combination of a mechanical presshaving a fixed abutment, a movable platen and a linkage interconnecting said abutment and said platen and operable to efiect reciprocation of said platen, a cushioned connection associated with said linkagexzomprising a housing providing a main chamber and a main piston reciprocable in said main chamber, said main chamber and said piston being arranged to permit limited relative movement therebetween and adapted-to receive a liquid under pressure to form therewith a cushioning means, an auxiliary chamber in hydraulic communication with said main chamher, an auxiliary piston reciprocable in said auxiliary chamber in response to the diiienence in the force exerted thereupon by the pressure of a liquid in said chambers and a force in opposition to said former force, a constant volume of liquid under substantially constant pressure in said chambers, and means for maintaining the pressure of said liquid at all times substantially constant, said last mentioned means including a cylinder, and a piston in said cylinder connected to said auxiliary piston and always maintained spaced from the heads of the cylinder to exert upon the auxiliary piston at all times a substantially constant force which balances at all times the force exerted thereupon by the pressure of said liquid, and a source of fluid of substantially constant pressure connected with the side of the said piston in said cylinder farthest from said auxiliary piston.

4. The combination of a mechanical press having a fixed abutment, a movable platen and a linkage interconnectin said abutment and said platen and operable to effect reciprocation of said platen, a cushioned connection associated with said linkage comprising a housing providing a main chamber and a main piston reciprocable in said main chamber, said main chamber and said piston being arranged to permit limited relative movement therebetween and adapted to receive a liquid under pressure to form therewith a cushioning means, an auxiliary chamber in hydraulic communication with said main chamber, an auxiliary piston reciprocable in said auxiliary chamber in response to the difierence in the force exerted thereupon by the pressure of aliquid in said chambers and a force in opposition to said former force, a constant volume of liquid under substantiallyconstant pressure in said chambers, and means for maintaining the pressure of said liquid at all times substantially constant, said last mentioned means including a cylinder, and a pistonin said cylinder connected to said auxiliary piston and always maintained spaced from the heads of the cylinder to exert upon the auxiliary piston at all times a substantially constant force whichbalances at all times the force exerted thereupon by the pressure of said liquid, and a closed vessel adapted to store a gas at a given pressure and connected to said cylinder to transmit the pressure of said gas to said cylinder and regulate the pressure or said liquid in accordance with the pressure of said gas.

5. The combination of a mechanical press having a fixed abutment, a movable platen and a. linkage interconnecting said abutment and said platen and operable to effect reciprocation of said platen, a cushioned connection associated with said linkage comprising a housing providing a main chamber and a main piston reciprocable in said main chamber, said main chamber and said piston being arranged to permit limited relative movement therebetween and adapted to receive I. liquid under pressure to form therewith a cushioning means, an auxiliary chamber in hydraulic communication with said main chamber, an auxiliary piston reciprocable in said auxiliary chamber in response to the difference in the force exerted thereupon by the pressure of a liquid in said chambers and a force in opposition to said former force, a constant volume of liquid under substantially constant pressure in said chambers, and means for maintaining the pressure of said liquid at all times substantially constant, said last mentioned means including a cylinder, and a piston in said cylinder connected to said auxiliary piston and always maintained spaced from the heads of the cylinder to exert upon the auxiliary piston at all times a substantially constant force which balances at all times the force exerted thereupon by the pressure of said liquid, and a' closed vessel adapted to store a gas at a given pressure and connected to said cylinder to transmit the pressure of said gas to said cylinder and regulate the pressure of said liquid in accordance with the pressure of said gas, and means connected to said piston in said cylinder to indicate the volume of said liquid and the relative position between said main chamber and the main piston.

6. The combination with a mechanical press provided with a fixed abutment and a movable platen, of a toggle linkage interconnecting said abutment and said platen, means connected to the knee of the toggle for operating the latter to effect reciprocation of said platen, one link of said linkage comprising a casing provided with a main chamber and a main piston reciprocable in said chamber to permit limited relative displacement between the piston and chamber, and means for maintaining liquid under pressure in said chamber to provide a resilient connection between the ends of said one link, said means including an auxiliary chamber in hydraulic communication with said main chamber, an auxiliary piston reciprocable in said auxiliary chamber and subjectedto the pressure of the liquid in said main chamber, and means connected to said auxiliary piston to exert a substantially constant force upon said auxiliary piston in opposition to the pressure of the liquid in said main chamber.

HARRY A. SEDGWICK 

